Best Of: Meshell Ndegeocello / Betty Gilpin

Meshell Ndegeocello explores the intersection of musical arrangement and personal liberation on her new album, *Synonym*, where she reimagines classic duets to challenge traditional gender norms and highlight the often-overlooked role of the arranger. Complementing this focus on creative reinterpretation, rock critic Ken Tucker examines Stevie Wonder’s newly unearthed 1976 recordings, noting how Wonder elevates simple lyrical phrases into complex, zealous expressions of romantic commitment. Actor Betty Gilpin rounds out the conversation by discussing her recent work in *The Lowdown* and *Widow's Bay*, describing how aging has liberated her from playing restrictive archetypes, allowing for more authentic, unvarnished performances. Together, these segments highlight the power of artistic evolution and the necessity of maintaining a fresh, open perspective when revisiting familiar creative territory.